Paytm, India’s largest mobile wallet, joined forces with ICICI Bank, India’s largest private bank, to launch ‘Paytm ICICI Bank Postpaid.’ This new initiative is a unique amalgamation of financial services to provide small digital credit to some selected users.
Through this programme, Paytm users will get access to seamless interest-free short-term digital credit for everyday use, such as bill payments, flights, and physical goods. Customers can get a digital credit account through instant activation online, without documentation and branch visit. At the moment, only select ICICI customers will be offered the digital credit via the Paytm app, however, the offer will be available to the non-ICICI Bank customers soon.
The initiative is based on the Big Data algorithm by ICICI Bank which will use real-time credit assessment of customers to offer credit. The financial and digital behavior of the customer including credit bureau check, purchase patterns and the frequency of purchase will be analyzed within a few seconds. An interest-free digital credit ranging from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000 will then be offered to the customers for up to 45 days. The range can also be extended up to Rs. 20,000 based on the repayment history of the customers. Users availing the digital credit can checkout quickly using the Paytm Passcode.
Executive Director of ICICI Bank Anup Bagchi, while speaking about the initiative said, “We are delighted to launch Paytm ICICI Bank Postpaid, our first offering in this space in association with Paytm.” According to founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, such short loans will help consumers to manage their daily expenses and plan their monthly budget. “Paytm Postpaid will play a major role in helping them pay for their daily expenses on time. This will democratize access to credit including those with less disposable income,” he added.
A consolidated bill would be generated on the first day of the month after the credit limit is set up. Customers will have to pay the bill by the 15th day of the same month via their Paytm Wallet, debit card or internet banking of any bank.